Declining lake levels warrant immediate action

If some kind of structure, inflatable or otherwise, will protect the level of lakes Michigan and Huron, letís look into it.

The US-Canadian International Joint Commission has recommended consideration of one or more structures to reduce the outflow from Lake Huron downstream into Lakes St. Clair and Lake Erie.

Weather patterns have reduced precipitation over the upper Great Lakes watershed in recent years.

The declining levels, now more than 24 inches below average, have hampered shipping as shallower channels require freighters to lighten their loads.

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Theyíve required dredging at marinas and have prevented some boat owners from using their docks entirely.

The international commission appears to have accepted the premise that dredging and other human activities have eroded the bottom of the St. Clair River, increasing flow.

It is suggesting an investigation of raising the level of the two lakes by 5 to 10 inches, using an inflatable structure, an underwater dam, which can be deployed when water levels are low but lowered in case water levels rise to threaten shorelines around the two lakes.

Itís our belief, or at least our hope, that the cost of engineering and construction would be more than offset by the avoided costs to those who use the lakes.

Itís also our hope that the impact of reducing flow downstream from Lake Huron would not seriously impact those who use Lake St. Clair, the Detroit River and Lake Erie.

One of the members of the joint commission, Lana Pollack, refused to endorse the report although she did not vote against it.

Pollack, who heads the three-member U.S. delegation, had good reasons to do so. Sheís concerned that the climate factors will overwhelm any good that a structure might do.

As we view changing weather patterns all around us, it seems possible that weŪre headed for long term drought, far beyond the ability of a manmade structure to defer for long.

Nevertheless, investigation of the concept and its costs is warranted.

If lake levels continue to decline rapidly, it will become apparent that there is no point in continuing onward to construction.

If they donít decline so rapidly, construction and deployment may seem like a very worthwhile idea.